{"articles":[{"id":978,"title":"Missouri Execution Postponed: What Do You Think About the Death Penalty?","html_content":"

by Causes | 8.23.17

What’s the story?

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Missouri Governor Eric Greitens issued a temporary stay just hours prior to the scheduled execution of Marcellus Williams. Williams was convicted of murder in 2001, but maintains his innocence. His attorneys argue that new DNA evidence will support his claim.

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Gov. Greitens has appointed a Board of Inquiry to review the case, along with the new evidence:

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\"A sentence of death is the ultimate, permanent punishment. To carry out the death penalty, the people of Missouri must have confidence in the judgment of guilt. In light of new information, I am appointing a Board of Inquiry in this case.\"
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Why does it matter?

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Currently, there are 31 states that have the death penalty, while 19 do not. Four have the death penalty, but are under gubernatorial moratoriums. There is no federal death penalty.

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The administration of the death penalty has been declining steadily for years. According to a December 2016 report by the Washington Post, there were 20 executions on 2016, down from the modern high in 1999 of 98 executions. Death sentences have dropped sharply as well. There were 30 in 2016 — the lowest single year number since 1972. Compare that to 1996, when there were 315, and you can see the magnitude of difference.

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In 2015 Time Magazine published an extensive article pointing to five reasons for the \"death of the death penalty.\" One, there continue to be persistent problems with administering the death penalty — executions get botched, appeals processes are slow, while frequently leading to questionable convictions. Two, the violent crime rate is falling. Three, the justifications for capital punishment are eroding. Life without parole sentences are actually cheaper. Four, the appeals process is expensive for states with constrained budgets. Five, the Supreme Court continues to rule in favor of a society that no longer needs capital punishment, restricting the circumstances in which the death penalty may be sought.

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According to a 2016 Pew Research survey, for the first time in over 40 years less than half, 49 percent, of Americans support the death penalty, while 42 percent actively oppose it.

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In discussing the decision regarding the stay for Marcellus Williams, Nina Morrison, senior staff attorney at the Innocence Project, an advocacy group focused on overturning wrongful convictions, argued that all Americans want to feel confident about convictions, regardless of whether they support the death penalty:

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\"While many Americans hold different views on the death penalty, there is an overwhelming consensus that those sentenced to death should be given due process and a full hearing on all their claims before an execution, and the governor's action honors that principle.\"
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What do you think?

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Do you support the death penalty? If so, why? If not, why not?

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Tell us in the comments what you think and then use the Take Action button to tell your reps!

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— Asha Sanaker

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(Photo Credit: Wikimedia / Creative Commons)

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